Brotherhood 

of  MEN  and  NATIONS 

BY 

John  D.  Rockefeller,  Jr. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


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Brotherhood 

of 

MEN  and  NATIONS 

BY 

John  D.  Rockefeller,  Jr. 


AN  ADDRESS 

DELIVERED  BEFORE  THE  CIVIC  AND  COMMERCIAL  CLUB 

AT 

DENVER,  COLORADO, 

June  13,  1918 


Brotherhood 

°f 

MEN  and  NATIONS 

FOREWORD 

Four  years  ago  this  great  world  war  began. 
For  two  and  a half  years,  while  Europe  was  in 
the  throes  of  the  struggle,  the  United  States 
stood  on  the  side  lines  a neutral  spectator. 

Today  we  are  in  the  contest  with  all  the 
strength  and  the  vast  resources  of  our  great 
nation.  Never  was  battle  joined  in  holier 
cause. 

The  Germans  are  fighting  for  territorial 
expansion,  commercial  extension,  military 
supremacy,  world  dominion — material  things. 

The  Allies  are  fighting  for  spiritual  things — 
the  sacredness  of  a promise,  the  inviolability 


BROTHERHOOD 


of  womanhood,  the  rights  of  the  weak,  the 
freedom  of  the  individual. 

In  this  fight  we  propose  to  stand  by  the 
side  of  the  brave  and  unconquerable  British, 
the  gallant  and  indomitable  French,  the 
Italians,  who  in  some  military  matters  have 
been  leaders,  and  our  other  Allies,  until, 
under  God,  victory  has  been  achieved,  even  if 
it  takes  our  last  man,  our  last  dollar  and  our 
last  ounce  of  strength. 

The  war  is  obviously  the  central  thought  in 

the  minds  of  all  of  us,  and  such  questions  as 

these  are  constantly  presenting  themselves: 

What,  if  anything,  might  have  been  done  to 

Can  Such  prevent  this  great  conflict?  Is  there  nothing 

Conflicts  he  can  render  impossible  its  recurrence  in 

Prevented  ? 

the  years  to  come? 

I am  wondering  whether  there  may  not  be 
something  suggestive  as  an  answer  to  these 
questions  in  the  subject  of  which  I desire  to 
speak  very  simply  and  informally,  and  which  is 
summed  up  in  the  single  word,  “Brotherhood.” 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


I 

BROTHERHOOD 
Involves  Personal  Relations 

Brotherhood  implies,  yes,  involves,  personal 
relations  between  men.  It  is  difficult  to  have 
a fraternal  feeling  for  the  brother  in  blood 
whom  you  have  never  seen,  but  easy  to 
develop  a brotherly  attitude  toward  the  man 
with  whom  you  are  in  frequent  and  friendly 
touch.  Is  it  not  true  that  the  great  majority  of 
misunderstandings  and  difficulties  which  arise 
between  men  are  the  result  of  lack  of  contact? 

When  men  rub  elbows,  sit  around  the  same 
table,  and  discuss  mutual  interests,  the  things 
they  have  in  common  multiply,  while  their 
differences  rapidly  disappear  or  are  adjusted. 
It  was  Charles  Lamb,  I think,  who  said,  “I 
cannot  hate  the  man  whom  I know.  ” 


BROTHERHOOD 


Obviously,  personal  relations  among  men 
must  exist  in  order  that  this  spirit  of  Brother- 
hood may  be  developed.  They  furnish  the 
friendly  soil  in  which  the  germ  is  nourished 
and  grows. 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


II 

BROTHERHOOD 
IN  INDUSTRY 

This  is  illustrated  in  the  field  of  industry, 
where  the  spirit  of  Brotherhood  is  sorely 
needed. 

In  the  early  days  of  industry,  the  owner  of  a 
plant  or  business  also  discharged  the  functions 
of  the  board  of  directors  and  the  officers, 
including  superintendent  and  manager. 

There  were  but  few  employees;  they  usually 
lived  near  by.  It  often  happened  that  they 
had  been  brought  up  from  boyhood  with  the 
owner,  had  attended  the  same  school,  had 
called  him  by  his  first  name. 

As  a rule  there  was  but  one  plant,  and  neces- 
sarily frequent  contact  between  owner  and 
employees  occurred.  When  questions  arose  on 


Direct 
Contact  in 
the  Early 
Days  of 
Industry 


BROTHERHOOD 


Contact 
Lacking 
in  Modern 
Industry 


either  side,  they  were  taken  up  at  the  next 
chance  meeting  and  readily  adjusted. 

Under  such  conditions  it  naturally  re- 
sulted that  a spirit  of  Brotherhood  was 
developed. 

In  modern  industry  the  owner  of  earlier 
days  has  been  replaced  by  thousands  of  stock- 
holders, for  no  single  individual  can  provide 
the  capital  required  by  the  great  industries 
of  today. 

Instead  of  a few  employees,  the  workers  are 
numbered  by  the  thousands,  tens  of  thousands 
and  sometimes  hundreds  of  thousands.  They 
come  from  all  sections  of  the  country,  and 
often  represent  many  parts  of  the  globe. 

Instead  of  one  plant,  there  are  frequently 
many,  scattered  all  over  the  country,  it  may 
be  sometimes  in  foreign  countries. 

The  result  is  that  contact  between  owners 
and  employees  is  practically  impossible,  and 
too  frequently  a chasm  opens  between  them. 


8 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


Instead  of  Brotherhood  there  has  developed 
distrust,  bitterness,  the  strike  and  the  lockout. 

Often,  therefore,  the  conclusion  is  reached 
that  Labor  and  Capital  are  enemies ; that  their 
interests  are  antagonistic;  that  each  must  arm 
itself  to  wrest  from  the  other  its  share  of  the 
product  of  their  common  toil.  This  conclu- 
sion is  false,  and  grows  out  of  unnatural 
conditions. 

Labor  and  Capital  are  partners;  their 
interests  are  common  interests;  neither  can 
get  on  without  the  other.  Labor  must  look  to 
Capital  to  supply  the  tools,  machinery  and 
working  capital,  without  which  it  cannot  make 
its  vital  contribution  to  industry,  and  Capital 
is  equally  powerless  to  turn  a wheel  in  indus- 
try without  Labor. 

Neither  can  attain  the  fullest  permanent 
measure  of  success  unless  the  other  does  also, 
and  the  unnatural  conditions,  namely,  the 
absence  of  contact  between  owner  and  em- 


Labor  and 
Capital  are 
Partners 


9 


BROTHERHOOD 


ployee,  must  be  made  as  nearly  normal  as 
possible  by  the  establishment  of  personal  rela- 
tions between  the  owners,  represented  by  the 
officers,  and  the  employees,  representing  cer- 
tain of  their  fellow  workers  whom  they  them- 
selves have  chosen. 

This  principle  of  representation,  including 

The  Colorado  adequate  machinery  for  the  uncovering  and 
Industrial  . 

Plan  early  adjustment  of  grievances,  was  adopted 

some  three  years  ago  by  the  Colorado  Fuel 
& Iron  Company,  one  of  the  largest  industrial 
corporations  of  the  State  of  Colorado. 

It  has  since  that  time  been  put  into  opera- 
tion by  the  Standard  Oil  Company  of  New 
Jersey  in  all  of  its  plants  in  various  States;  by 
the  Consolidation  Coal  Company,  one  of  the 
leading  producers  of  anthracite  coal,  operating 
in  several  States,  and  by  a number  of  other 
coal  companies  in  the  anthracite  fields. 

Furthermore,  the  adoption  of  the  principle 
is  being  urged  both  by  the  National  War  Labor 


10 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


Board  and  the  Fuel  Administrator.  The 
public  is  also  coming  rapidly  to  recognize  and 
accept  the  principle  as  just  and  fair. 

I am  profoundly  convinced  that  nothing 
will  go  so  far  toward  establishing  Brotherhood 
in  industry  and  insuring  industrial  peace,  both 
during  the  war  and  afterwards,  as  the  general 
and  early  adoption  by  industry  of  this  prin- 
ciple of  representation,  the  favorable  consider- 
ation of  which  cannot  be  too  strongly  urged 
upon  leaders  in  industry. 

But  there  is  another  principle  even  more 
fundamental,  from  which  the  idea  of  repre- 
sentation has  been  developed.  It  is  this: 
“Do  as  you  would  be  done  by.” 

Some  months  ago  I was  one  of  a number  of 
men  who  were  asked  two  questions  by  a 
Commission  appointed  by  President  Wilson  to 
deal  with  certain  labor  difficulties. 

The  first  was:  “What  do  you  regard  as  the 
underlying  cause  of  industrial  unrest?” 


The  Basic 
Principle  of 
Industrial 
Brotherhood 


u 


BROTHERHOOD 


The  Remedy 
for 

Industrial 
U nrest 

TheC 

lnd 

I 


The  second:  “What  remedy  do  you  sug- 
gest?” 

I stated  that  in  my  judgment  the  chief 
cause  of  industrial  unrest  is  that  Capital  does 
not  strive  to  look  at  questions  at  issue  from 
Labor’s  point  of  view,  and  Labor  does  not 
seek  to  get  Capital’s  angle  of  vision.  My 
answer  to  the  second  question  was  that  when 
employers  put  themselves  in  the  employee’s 
place,  and  the  employees  put  themselves  in 
the  employer’s  place,  the  remedy  for  industrial 
unrest  will  have  been  found. 

In  other  words,  when  the  principle  adopted 
by  both  parties  in  interest  is  “ Do  as  you  would 
be  done  by,”  there  will  be  no  industrial  unrest, 
no  industrial  problem. 

Since  the  Colorado  Fuel  & Iron  Company 
was  perhaps  the  first  to  develop  a carefully 
worked  out  plan  of  industrial  representation, 
which  was  adopted  by  unanimous  vote  of  the 
board  of  directors,  and  a seventy-eight  per  cent 


12 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


vote  of  the  employees,  and  has  now  been  in 
operation  for  about  three  years,  it  may  be  of 
interest  to  mention  briefly  some  of  the  out- 
standing features  of  the  plan,  and  some  of  the 
results  of  its  operation. 

1.  The  first  outstanding  feature  of 
the  plan,  is  the  representatives,  their 
conferences  and  committees. 

By  secret  ballot  representatives  are  chosen 
annually  by  the  employees  from  their  fellow- 
workers  in  each  mining  camp  and  each  division  of 
the  steel  mills,  one  for  every  one  hundred  and 
fifty  employees,  but  never  less  than  two  in  any 
camp  or  division. 

The  representatives,  together  with  an  equal 
number  of  the  officers  of  the  Company,  hold 
conferences  at  least  three  times  during  the  year 
in  the  several  coal  mining  districts,  and  similar 
conferences  are  held  in  the  steel  plant. 

There  is  also  an  annual  conference  of  repre- 
sentatives and  officers  of  the  Company.  Such 
a conference  occurs  with  the  employees  of  the 
mines  as  well  as  with  the  employees  of  the  steel 
plant. 


Outstanding 
Features 
of  the 
Colorado 
Plan 


The 

Representa- 

tives 


13 


BROTHERHOOD 


In  addition  there  are  in  each  district  of  the 
mining  camps  and  in  all  of  the  divisions  of  the 
steel  plant,  four  standing  committees,  each 
committee  composed  of  three  employees,  selected 
by  the  representatives  but  not  necessarily  repre- 
sentatives themselves,  and  three  officers  of  the 
Company.  These  committees  can  initiate  busi- 
ness as  well  as  consider  such  matters  as  are  re- 
ferred to  them. 


The  Committees  are:  Committee  on  Co-opera- 
tion and  Conciliation;  on  Safety  and  Accidents; 
on  Sanitation,  Health  and  Housing;  on  Recrea- 
tion and  Education. 


Employees 
in  Constant 
Touch  and 
Conferences 
with 

Employers 


There  is  also  an  officer,  known  as  the  Presi- 
dent’s Industrial  Representative,  whose  duty  it 
is  to  visit  currently  all  the  mines  and  confer  with 
the  representatives.  A similar  officer  performs 
a like  function  in  the  steel  plant.  These  officers 
are  also  available  for  conference  at  any  time  at 
the  request  of  the  representatives. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  employees, 
through  their  representatives  chosen  from 
among  themselves,  are  in  constant  touch  and 
conference  with  the  owners  through  their  rep- 
resentatives, the  officers,  in  regard  to  matters 
pertaining  to  their  common  interests. 


14 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


2.  The  second  outstanding  feature  of 
the  plan  is  the  Employees’  Right  of 
Appeal. 

Any  employee  with  a grievance,  real  or 
imaginary,  may  go  with  it  to  one  of  his  representa- 
tives. As  frequently  happens,  the  representative 
finds  that  there  is  no  real  ground  for  the  griev- 
ance and  is  able  to  so  convince  the  employee. 

But  if  a real  grievance  exists  or  the  employee 
is  not  satisfied,  the  representative  takes  the 
matter  to  the  pit  boss,  the  mine  foreman  or  the 
mine  superintendent,  and  in  the  majority  of 
cases  the  questions  are  amicably  and  satisfac- 
torily settled  by  one  of  them. 

If  not,  however,  it  is  the  employee’s  right 
through  his  representative  to  carry  the  matter  to 
the  President’s  Industrial  Representative,  the 
District  Committee  on  Co-operation  and  Con- 
ciliation, the  District  Manager,  the  Manager  or 
Assistant  Manager,  the  General  Manager,  the 
President,  and,  as  a court  of  last  appeal,  to  the 
Industrial  Commission  of  the  State  of  Colorado. 

Experience  proves  that  the  vast  majority  of 
difficulties  which  occur  in  an  industry  arise  be- 
tween the  workmen  and  the  subordinate  officials 
with  whom  they  are  in  daily  contact,  such  as  pit 
bosses  or  mine  foremen. 


The 

Right  of 
Appeal 


15 


BROTHERHOOD 


These  petty  officials  are  sometimes  arbitrary. 
But  it  is  by  their  attitude  and  actions  that  the 
higher  officers  and  stockholders  are  judged. 

Obviously,  then,  the  right  of  appeal  from 
their  decision  is  important,  and  even  if  never 
availed  of  tends  of  itself  to  modify  their  attitude. 

Employees’ 
Bill  of 
Rights 

3.  The  third  outstanding  feature  of 
the  plan  which  I would  mention  is  the 
Employees’  Bill  of  Rights. 

This  covers  such  matters  as  the  right  to  caution 
and  suspension  before  discharge,  except  for  such 
serious  offenses  as  are  posted  at  each  mine; 

The  right  to  hold  meetings  at  appropriate 
places,  outside  of  working  hours; 

The  right,  without  discrimination,  to  member- 
ship or  non-membership  in  any  society  or  organi- 
zation; and 

The  right  of  appeal,  to  which  reference  has  just 
been  made. 

Results 
of  the 
Operation 
of  the 
Colorado 
Plan 

So  much,  then,  for  the  outstanding  features 

of  the  plan.  What  have  been  some  of  the 

results  of  its  operation?  In  brief: 

1.  Uninterrupted  operation  of  the  plants  and 
increased  output. 

16 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


2.  Improved  working  and  living  conditions. 

3.  Frequent  and  close  contact  between  em- 
ployees and  officers. 

4.  Elimination  of  grievances  as  a disturbing 
factor. 

5.  Good-will  developed  to  a high  degree. 

6.  The  creation  of  community  spirit. 

A community  spirit  has  been  fostered  in 
many  ways. 

Club  houses  have  been  constructed  in  a 
number  of  the  camps,  and  are  under  the  direc- 
tion and  operation  of  the  Young  Men’s  Chris- 
tian Association.  These  buildings  provide 
recreational  and  social  facilities  not  only  for 
the  men  and  boys,  but  for  the  women  and 
children  as  well. 

There  are  bandstands  in  a number  of  the 
camps,  and  bathhouses  in  practically  all  of 
them.  In  several,  dispensaries  have  been 
built  and  supplied  with  district  nurses. 


Community 

Spirit 

Fostered 


17 


BROTHERHOOD 


Improvement 
of  Living 
Conditions 


Schools  have  been  improved — some  would 
serve  as  models  in  any  city,  however  pro- 
gressive. 

One  of  the  most  important  features  of  the 
community  life  is  the  gardens  that  have  been 
generally  cultivated.  This  has  been  made 
possible  by  fencing  around  each  miner’s 
house  a plot  of  ground  which  is  developed  in 
grass,  in  flowers,  or  in  vegetables,  and  always 
adds  interest  and  attractiveness  to  the  home. 

The  fences  thus  built  have  cost  more  than 
$40,000;  over  $155,000  has  been  spent  on 
club  houses,  either  completed  or  under  con- 
struction; and  upwards  of  $50,000  on  bath- 
houses; in  other  words,  a total  of  a quarter  of 
a million  dollars  has  been  expended  in  three 
years  for  these  several  items  alone. 

The  community  spirit  is  developing  com- 
munity pride  and  rivalry.  Each  camp  has  its 
band,  its  baseball  team.  Of  late  this  spirit  has 


18 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


manifested  itself  most  gratifyingly  in  patriotic 
endeavors. 

Over  one  thousand  men  in  the  Company 
have  responded  to  the  call  to  the  colors. 

To  the  Third  Liberty  Loan  practically 
every  man  in  the  camps  and  in  the  steel  works 
subscribed. 

A total  subscription  of  over  $1,000,000  was 
received,  in  addition  to  some  $700,000  sub- 
scribed to  the  two  earlier  loans;  and  a similar 
high  percentage  has  been  maintained  in  the 
recent  Red  Cross  campaign,  the  usual  con- 
tribution being  a day’s  pay. 

In  one  camp  a notice  was  posted  in  the 
office  window  to  the  effect  that  subscriptions 
for  the  Red  Cross  campaign  would  be  received. 
No  soliciting  was  necessary.  The  notice  was 
all  that  was  required.  Every  man  in  the  camp 
voluntarily  came  to  the  office  and  put  his 
name  down  for  a day’s  pay. 

One  must  not  fail  to  mention  the  splendid 


Patriotic 

Spirit 

Shoivn 


19 


BROTHERHOOD 


Results  of 
Investigation 


Red  Cross  auxiliaries  which  the  women  of  the 
camps  have  organized,  and  in  which  they  are 
working  earnestly  and  effectively. 

I have  recently  spent  two  weeks  in  visiting 
the  twenty  or  more  camps  and  the  steel  mills. 
I talked  confidentially  with  practically  all  of 
the  representatives  in  the  camps  and  mills. 

They  assured  me  that  all  grievances  had 
been  adjusted  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  em- 
ployees or  were  in  process  of  adjustment,  or 
that  employees  had  been  convinced  that  their 
grievances  were  not  well  founded. 

The  representatives  expressed  their  own 
unqualified  endorsement,  approval  and  appre- 
ciation of  the  plan,  which  attitude  they  said 
was  that  very  generally  of  the  rank  and  file  of 
the  men,  who  constantly  valued  the  plan  more 
highly  as  they  understood  its  working  better. 

In  view,  therefore,  of  the  statements  of  the 
representatives,  of  my  own  observations,  and 
the  results  obtained  during  the  three  years 


20 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


which  have  elapsed  since  the  adoption  of  the 
plan,  I believe  it  can  be  said  with  confidence 
that  the  plan  is  no  longer  an  experiment,  but  a 
proved  success;  that,  based  as  it  is  on  prin- 
ciples of  absolute  justice  to  all  those  interested 
in  its  operation,  its  continued  success  can  be 
counted  on,  so  long  as  it  is  carried  out  in  the 
future  as  in  the  past,  in  a spirit  of  sincerity 
and  fair  play. 

It  is  a vital  factor  in  re-establishing  personal 
relations  between  the  parties  in  industry  and 
developing  a genuine  spirit  of  Brotherhood 
among  them. 


What  of  the 
Future  ? 


21 


BROTHERHOOD 


The 

Growing 

Tendency 

Tcnoard 

Co-operation 

and 

Brotherhood 


III 

BROTHERHOOD 

in  Business 

It  is  also  true  that  in  the  realm  of  Business 
personal  relations  among  men  lead  to  co- 
operation and  Brotherhood.  This  growing 
tendency  cannot  be  observed  but  with  satis- 
faction. 

Under  the  pressure  of  war  needs,  and  at  the 
suggestion  of  the  Government,  the  represen- 
tatives of  the  basic  industries,  such  as  coal, 
steel,  oil  and  the  like,  are  working  together  in 
each  industry  in  the  fullest  harmony. 

The  heads  of  the  large  companies,  handling 
these  and  other  essential  products,  who  were 
formerly  sharp  competitors  and  sometimes 
bitter  antagonists,  are  now  meeting  daily  or 
weekly  around  a common  table  in  order  that 


22 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


they  may  provide  adequately  for  the  Govern- 
ment’s war  requirements,  as  well  as  meet  the 
needs  of  the  civil  population,  with  the  utmost 
economy,  the  maximum  of  efficiency  and  the 
greatest  industrial  harmony. 

Surely  the  friendships  that  are  thus  being 
formed  among  men  who  formerly  had  little  or 
no  personal  contact,  and  too  often  misjudged 
each  other’s  motives,  will  lead  to  the  develop- 
ment of  a genuine  spirit  of  Brotherhood  in 
business,  which  should  have  a marked  effect 
upon  the  method  of  conducting  business  in  the 
days  to  come. 


Friendships 
that  will 
Lead  to 
Brotherhood 


23 


BROTHERHOOD 


Business 
Men 
Called  to 
Aid  the 
Government 


IV 

BROTHERHOOD 

Between  Government  and  Business 

That  a spirit  of  co-operation,  leading  to 
Brotherhood,  is  also  observable  between 
national,  state  and  city  governments  and 
business,  is  a most  welcome  fact. 

While  heretofore  Government  executives 
have  hesitated  to  place  business  men  on  com- 
mittees or  in  official  positions,  where  their 
expert  knowledge  would  be  of  value,  because  of 
some  vague  fear  that  they  might  be  biased, 
now,  under  the  stress  of  war,  they  are  calling 
to  the  aid  of  the  nation,  state  and  city  the 
ablest  business  men  of  the  country,  and  are 
placing  them  in  positions  of  greatest  impor- 
tance. 

Moreover,  large  numbers  of  business  men, 


24 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


many  of  whom  have  been  reluctant  heretofore 
to  take  part  in  the  affairs  of  government, 
because  so  absorbed  with  their  personal  inter- 
ests, are  offering  their  services  in  any  capacity 
in  which  they  can  be  of  the  greatest  help  in 
winning  the  war. 

The  better  understanding,  the  mutual  con- 
fidence, which  this  association  is  sure  to  de- 
velop, will  mean  much,  not  only  in  the  prose- 
cution of  the  war,  but  also  in  the  conduct  of 
government  and  of  business  after  the  war. 
It  is  one  of  the  compensating  results  of  this 
great  world  struggle. 


25 


BROTHERHOOD 


New 

Questions 
which  are 
Being 
Asked 


V 

BROTHERHOOD 

IN  SOCIAL  LIFE 

But  this  spirit  of  Brotherhood  is  no  more 
essential  in  industry  and  business  than  it  is  in 
social  life. 

As  nations  prosper,  social  strata  are  formed, 
with  the  result  that  misunderstandings  arise, 
bitterness  is  created,  and  class  antagonism  is 
stirred  up. 

The  war  is  obliterating  these  class  distinc- 
tions. This  is  being  accomplished  to  a marked 
degree  among  the  men  in  the  training  camps. 

No  longer  is  the  question  asked  where  a 
man  comes  from,  who  his  parents  are,  what  he 
has;  but  rather,  is  he  a good  soldier,  is  he 
brave,  is  he  uncomplaining  under  hardship,  is 
he  a loyal  comrade? 


28 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


These  new  relationships  which  are  growing 
up  among  men  quickly  lead  to  the  develop- 
ment of  Brotherhood,  and  the  opinions  which 
men  have  formed  of  each  other,  or  of  other 
classes,  based  often  only  on  hearsay  or  the 
public  press,  are  frequently  changed  when 
personal  contact  is  brought  about.  As  illus- 
trative of  this  point,  perhaps  a personal  refer- 
ence may  be  pardoned. 

After  speaking  in  a Y.  M.  C.  A.  hut  in  one 
of  the  training  camps,  as  I have  done  on  a 
number  of  occasions  during  the  past  nine 
months,  I was  standing  in  the  center  of  a 
group  of  soldiers,  when  one  of  their  number, 
an  Italian,  went  up  to  a secretary  and  said, 
“Which  is  this  man  Rockefeller?” 

Pointing  to  the  group  the  secretary  said, 
“That  is  he,  over  there  among  those  men.” 
The  Italian  came  over,  walked  slowly 
around  the  group,  looked,  stopped,  listened, 
and  finally  went  back  to  the  secretary  and 


A Personal 
Experience 


27 


BROTHERHOOD 


Q 

w 


A Like 
Spirit  is 
Developing 
Among  the 
Women 


said,  “Come,  stop  your  fooling,  that’s  not 
him;  tell  me  which  he  is.” 

Whereupon  the  secretary  replied  that  it 
was  I,  to  which  the  Italian  answered, 

“Why,  that’s  a man,  that’s  no  devil!” 

So  it  is,  as  men  meet  face  to  face  they  come 
to  know  each  other  very  differently  than  they 
do  by  hearsay.  The  average  man  is  quick  to 
discern  fraud  and  insincerity  and  equally 
quick  to  recognize  genuine  friendliness. 

A like  spirit  is  developing  equally  among  the 
women  of  our  land. 

One  sees  in  the  Red  Cross  auxiliary  the 
society  woman,  the  cook,  the  shop-girl,  the 
stenographer,  all  sitting  side  by  side  at  the 
same  table,  dressed  in  the  Red  Cross  uniform, 
and  the  only  question  asked  is,  “Who  does  the 
best  and  most  work?” 

That  one,  whether  from  the  bottom  or  the 
top  of  the  social  ladder,  is  the  most  highly 
regarded. 


28 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


VI 

BROTHERHOOD 
in  the  Religious  World 

In  the  religious  world  as  well  there  is  need 

of  a more  brotherly  spirit. 

Denominational  war  funds,  committees, 

enterprises,  are  greatly  to  be  regretted;  j)enom[na 

united  Christian  effort  is  as  greatly  to  be  tional 

desired.  When  the  soldier  on  the  field  of  Enterprises 

are  to  be 

battle  faces  the  Angel  of  Death,  I fancy  he  Regretted 
will  not  be  asked,  “Are  you  a Presbyterian, 
a Congregationalist,  a Baptist  or  a Unitarian?” 
but,  “Are  you  a follower  of  Jesus  Christ;  is 
your  faith  anchored  in  God?” 

And  when  these  soldiers  come  back  from 
the  war,  having  looked  death  fearlessly  in  the 
eye  together,  they  will  not  be  content  to 
return  to  a church  from  which  their  comrades 


29 


BROTHERHOOD 


Theoretical 

and 

Practical 

Religion 


are  excluded  because  of  another  sect.  They 
will  seek  a church  as  broad  as  the  love  of  God, 
where  any  or  all  Christians  may  enter,  a church 
exemplifying  Brotherhood. 

When  visiting  a theological  seminary  some 
years  ago,  I was  surprised  to  learn  that  a 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  had  been  established  in  the 
seminary,  but  upon  reflection  I realized  that 
these  young  men  who  are  studying  theoretical 
religion  need  training  in  practical  religion  just 
as  much  as  the  men  whose  souls  they  are 
going  out  to  save. 


30 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


VII 

BROTHERHOOD 
Between  Nations 

We  have  been  speaking  of  Brotherhood 
among  individuals  and  among  groups  of 
individuals. 

If  this  is  a vital  force  effective  in  such  rela- 
tionships, is  it  not  equally  applicable  as  be- 
tween nations? 

Constantly  we  see  the  principle  operating 
among  the  Allies. 

Every  day  of  the  war  is  bringing  closer  co- 
operation, more  frequent  conferences  and  a 
better  understanding.  At  last  a single  com- 
mander-in-chief has  been  appointed  over  all 
of  the  Allies’  armies. 

Not  only  is  this  fraternal  spirit  manifesting 
itself  among  their  leaders,  both  military  and 


Manifesta- 
tions of  the 
Fraternal 
Spirit 


31 


BROTHERHOOD 


The 

Brotherhood 
of  Right 
Against 
Might 


civil,  but,  even  earlier  and  more  fully,  it  was 
put  into  operation  in  the  relief  of  suffering 
among  the  soldiers  and  thecivilianpopulations. 

The  Allies  have  been  quick  to  extend  a 
helping  hand  to  each  other  in  many  ways,  and 
the  closer  the  feeling  of  Brotherhood  becomes, 
the  stronger  will  be  the  bond  that  unites  them. 

This  spirit  should  be  developed,  not  only 
among  those  of  the  Allied  nations  which  are 
actively  participating  in  the  war,  but  it  should 
also  be  extended  until  it  includes  all  of  the 
nations  lined  up  with  the  Allies  on  the  side  of 
Right  against  Might,  even  if,  because  of 
geographical  location  or  for  other  valid 
reasons,  some  of  them  are  not  actively  par- 
ticipating in  the  struggle. 


32 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


VIII 

Where  BROTHERHOOD 
Must  Halt  Until  Right  Prevails 

At  that  point,  however,  the  extension  of  the 
principle  must  necessarily  halt  until  the  war 
is  over. 

Let  me  make  this  very  clear.  The  world  is 
divided  today  into  two  hostile  and  absolutely 
irreconcilable  camps. 

Savagery  has  thrown  down  the  gauntlet  to 
civilization — both  cannot  longer  continue  to 
exist  on  the  same  planet. 

Until  the  leader  of  the  enemy  forces  and 
those  who  have  aided  him  in  bringing  upon 
the  world  this  indescribable  carnage,  as 
well  as  all  those  who  are  co-operating  in  the 
conscious  effort  to  turn  the  hand  of  time 
back  to  the  days  of  barbarism,  have  been  per- 


There  Can 
be  no 

Brotherhood 

with 

Savagery 


33 


BROTHERHOOD 


No  Sacrifice 
is,  or  can 
be,  too 
Great 


manently  shorn  of  the  power  to  further  their 
brutal  lusts  and  inordinate  ambitions,  there 
can  be  no  peace. 

Far  better  would  it  be  that  all  arrayed  on 
the  side  of  Right  should  perish  in  seeking 
vindication  of  the  principles  for  which  they 
are  fighting,  than  that  any  should  survive  to 
live  under  the  dominion  of  brute  force. 

Far  better  that  the  womanhood  of  our 
civilization  should  be  sacrificed  in  this  warfare, 
than  that  it  should  survive  to  receive  insult 
and  degradation  at  the  pleasure  of  a barbarous 
conqueror. 

Far  better  that  innocent  children  should 
continue  to  suffer  death  at  the  hands  of  a 
ruthless  enemy,  than  that  they  should  five  on 
under  a rule  of  cruelty  and  inhumanity. 

Not  only  must  German  militarism  be  de- 
stroyed absolutely  and  forever,  but  German 
philosophy  must  be  reconceived  and  recon- 
structed from  its  very  foundations,  for  no 


34 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


peaceful  intercourse  with  civilized  nations  is 
possible  to  a people  actuated  by  such  bar- 
barous principles. 

General  von  Kries  said  to  a friend  of  mine 
in  1916,  in  speaking  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Poland: 

“The  lives  of  human  beings  are  to  be  con- 
served only  if  it  makes  for  the  State’s  ad- 
vancement; their  lives  are  to  be  sacrificed  if  it 
is  to  the  State’s  advantage.” 

Such  a philosophy  as  this,  utterly  subordi- 
nating the  individual  to  the  State,  must  give 
way  to  the  theory  accepted  by  the  free  peoples 
of  the  world,  that  the  well-being  and  happi- 
ness of  the  individual  is  the  consideration  of 
supreme  importance,  and  that  the  State  exists 
ultimately  for  the  individual,  not  the  indi- 
vidual for  the  State. 

Nor  can  the  teaching  be  longer  tolerated 
that  the  State  can  do  no  wrong,  and  is  su- 
preme, being  justified  in  the  pursuance  of  any 


Philosophy 

and 

Teaching 
which 
Cannot 
be  Tolerated 


35 


BROTHERHOOD 


course  or  the  performance  of  any  act,  however 
contrary  to  the  moral  and  ethical  standards  of 
God  and  man,  so  long  as  it  serves  the  ends  of 
the  State. 

These  principles  can  no  more  mix  with  the 
principle  of  Brotherhood  than  can  oil  and 
water.  They  are  diametrically  and  funda- 
mentally at  variance  with  each  other. 

Therefore  I say,  the  whole  of  German 
political  philosophy  will  have  to  be  recon- 
structed before  this  humanizing  and  peace- 

Brotherhood  perpetuating  doctrine  of  Brotherhood  can  be 

Possible 

only  with  a extended  to  the  German  nations. 

Reconstructed  And  SOj  ag  president  Wilson  has  said: 
Germany 

“This  intolerable  thing,  of  which  the  mas- 
ters of  Germany  have  shown  us  the  ugly  face, 
this  menace  of  brute  force  and  intrigue,  which 
we  now  see  so  clearly  as  the  German  power — a 
thing  without  conscience  or  honor,  or  capacity 
for  covenanted  peace — must  be  crushed,  and 
if  it  be  not  utterly  brought  to  an  end , at  least  shut 


36 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


out  from  the  friendly  intercourse  of  nations.” 

This  titanic  struggle  must  be  fought  out 
now.  Whether  it  takes  one  year  or  ten  years 
to  achieve  that  for  which  we  fight,  it  must  be 
achieved,  and  there  can  be  but  one  outcome 
of  the  struggle,  for  as  surely  as  there  is  a God 
in  Heaven,  Right  will  prevail  and  Might  will 
be  put  down. 

But  when  that  day  has  come  and  peace  has 
been  established  on  an  enduring  basis,  then 
and  not  until  then  can  the  spirit  of  Brother- 
hood among  nations  be  extended,  as  then  it 
must  be  extended,  to  include  all  the  nations  of 
the  world. 


When  the 
Day  of 
Righteous 
Peace 
Comes 


37 


BROTHERHOOD 


The  World 
a Unit 


IX 

Man  Cannot  Live  to  Himself  Alone , 
Nor  Can  a Nation 

There  was  a time  when  neighboring  coun- 
tries were  as  remote  from  each  other,  in  so  far 
as  intercourse  and  communication  are  con- 
cerned, as  though  separated  by  an  ocean  or  a 
continent.  That  day  has  passed. 

No  longer  can  any  man  live  to  himself  alone, 
nor  any  nation.  The  world  has  become  a 
unit.  Crop  failure  in  South  America  is  felt 
in  Europe.  A panic  in  London  or  New  York 
creates  financial  depression  throughout  the 
world.  Industrial  difficulties  in  any  one 
country  have  their  influence  in  all  countries. 

Just  as  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  any 
nation  depend  upon  the  happiness  and  the 
welfare  of  all  of  the  people  in  that  nation,  so 


38 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  world  are 
dependent  upon  the  happiness  and  welfare  of 
all  the  nations  of  the  world.  And  no  force 
will  be  so  powerful  in  conserving  universal 
peace  and  good  will  after  the  war  is  over  as  the 
spirit  of  Brotherhood  among  men  and  nations. 

When  this  world  struggle  is  ended,  grave 
questions  are  sure  to  arise  in  the  internal  life 
of  the  several  countries  involved  in  it. 

Some  one  has  said  that  the  present  war  is 
only  a curtain  raiser  compared  to  the  con- 
flicts which  are  likely  to  follow  when  the 
period  of  reconstruction  is  reached. 

The  progress  of  events  in  Russia  during  the 
past  months  gives  some  indication  of  the  vio- 
lent differences  of  opinion  which  may  assert 
themselves  and  of  the  bitter  internal  dissen- 
sions which  too  often  attend  the  re-birth  of 
a nation. 

The  patriotism  of  men  of  all  classes  is 
certain  to  be  severely  tested  in  the 


Grave 
Questions 
Will  Come 
With  the 
War's  End 


39 


BROTHERHOOD 


Brotherhood 
— the  Spirit 
in  which 
Great 
Problems 
Must  be 
Met 


readjustments  which  must  follow  the  war. 

During  the  period  of  reconstruction  the 
one  force  to  be  looked  to  for  the  prevention  of 
possible  internal  wars  in  the  various  nations — 
wars  which  if  they  came  would  be  far  bloodier 
and  more  heartrending  than  this  present  war, 
because  between  brothers — is  the  spirit  of 
Brotherhood. 

If  that  spirit  shall  prevail — influencing  as  it 
must  and  will  those  who  are  conservative  in 
their  views,  to  consider  the  vital  questions  of 
the  day  from  all  sides,  and  likewise  influencing 
those  who  are  radical  to  realize  that  time  is  a 
great  force  in  changing  most  things,  that 
patience  must  be  called  into  play  and  that  the 
progress  which  is  slow  is  surer  than  that  which 
is  precipitate,  then  and  then  only  can  we 
expect  this  critical  period  to  be  lived  through, 
and  the  momentous  questions  which  it  will 
bring  satisfactorily  adjusted,  without  further 
bloodshed  and  suffering. 


40 


of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


X 

BROTHERHOOD 
Not  A New  Idea 

But  this  spirit  of  which  we  have  been 
speaking  is  not  something  new.  It  is  cen- 
turies old.  Nearly  two  thousand  years  ago,  a 
simple  carpenter  in  Nazareth  proclaimed  the 
doctrine. 

The  far-reaching  influence  which  He  had 
was  not  so  much  because  He  preached 
Brotherhood  as  because  He  lived  it;  lived  it 
when  in  contact  with  the  woman  taken  in 
adultery;  lived  it  when  He  associated  with 
publicans  and  sinners;  lived  it  when  the 
physically  and  spiritually  sick  touched  His 
life;  yes,  but  more  than  all,  because  He  was 
ready  to  die  for  it. 

It  is  not  enough  that  we  accept  this  prin- 


He  Preached 
Brotherhood 


41 


BROTHERHOOD  of  MEN  and  NATIONS 


Brotherhood 
Worth  Its 
Cost 


ciple  of  Brotherhood  intellectually,  that  we 
concede  it  to  be  theoretically  sound. 

Only  as  we  live  it,  at  home,  in  the  office,  in  indus- 
trial contacts,  in  social  and  political  life,  in  na- 
tional and  international  relations,  will  it  become 
a real,  vital,  transforming  force  in  the  world. 

Since  the  war  began  the  world  has  paid  a 
price  in  human  life,  misery  and  sorrow  which 
staggers  the  imagination,  and  further  heavy 
payments  must  be  met. 

But  if,  as  a result,  when  the  war  is  over, 
Brotherhood  shall  be  widely  extended  among 
men  and  permanently  established  among 
nations,  it  will  be  worth  all  it  has  cost.  We 
shall  have  reason  to  feel  that  the  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  brave  men  who  have  laid  down 
their  lives  could  not  have  made  the  supreme 
sacrifice  for  any  cause  which  will  contribute 
more  largely  to  the  maintenance  of  universal 
peace,  the  contentment  of  humanity  and  the 
well-being  of  mankind  throughout  the  world. 


